Save the Cat Writing Software Review

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

OF

Save the Cat! Structure Software

I'm a fan of Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, so I jumped on the chance to review Save the Cat! Structure Software!

Then, despite all of the amazing e-mails and communication with the blog tour's manager, I messed up my dates and had this post calendared for tomorrow.

Yikes!!! 

My apologies to the Save the Cat! Authors and the Software Developers.

My Review of Save the Cat! Structure Software:

I loved this software! I have tried a few others (I will not name them), but never found a program that fits my style, which is a combination of pansting and plotting, with general guidelines and loglines to guide me through my stories, novels, and non-fiction books. 

This structure has just what I need to keep track of plot beats (utilizing the Save the Cat! beat sheet structure), character arcs, settings, symbols/things, key character relationships, chapters, payoffs, and everything in handy ways which I found incredibly helpful. One thing I love about Save the Cat! Structure Software is that the logline for my project is always at the top of the page. I need this. It helps me remember my driving purpose and umbrella plan for the entire project.

If you are a die hard plotter, never fear! This software can work for you, too. There are ways to keep track of your plot in the plottiest of plot-point ways with main plot points, character arcs, symbolism in each scene, and more. 

Moving from one area to the next in your novel is incredibly easy with this software. The tutorial was helpful, but the software is fairly intuitive and I think you can dive right into using it. There are some fun bits in the software, like the "litter box" section where you can store the ideas you aren't ready to trash, but which aren't quite fitting within your main idea. 

Another part of this software that I loved is that it can be used for single book projects, book series projects, and script-writing for a movie or a show series. You don't have to limit yourself to a particular type of writing or length to use this software. 

I'm currently using it to plot (ahem, plantster) my way through a novella series. I'm planning to use it to work my way through some problem areas in a revision project. 

In other words, I'm sold on this program. I find it useable, useful, and helpful as a short story writer, a novelist, and as somehow who has attempted writing a graphic novel script/prose mashup (that's the revision project I'm planning to revise with this software). 

If you like Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, I think you would like this software. 

About Save the Cat!®

Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.

Find out more about Save the Cat! by visiting their webpage at www.savethecat.com.

About the Save the Cat Structure Software

Save the Cat! Story Structure Software is adapted from the Save the Cat! methodology to help screenwriters and novelists unlock the fundamentals of plot and character transformation. The Story Structure Software is a virtual writer board with digital index cards to help map out your story against the 15 beats or plot points to your story. The software enables writers to track emotional shifts of characters from scene to scene, develop profiles and edit and version your story with ease.

You can purchase a subscription to the Save the Cat! Structure Software at Save the Cat's website.

About the Author, Jessica Brody

Jessica Brody worked for MGM Studios as manager of acquisitions and business development before becoming an internationally best-selling author of more than fifteen novels for adults and teens including The Geography of Lost Things, The Chaos of Standing Still, A Week of Mondays, and Better You Than Me. She travels the country teaching Save the Cat! workshops to novelists.

New Release, Writing Youtube Videos, and Monday Motivation - Is Storytelling Built Into Us?

NEW RELEASE

Walking with Jesus: Stories from One Hope Church is out and available at most online retailers!

Real People. Real Dilemmas. Real Jesus.

14 Authors, One Faith-Filled Anthology.

Available Here for FREE. (PDF format)

Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo for sale.

Reviews would be awesome!

WRITING AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS

I know authors have been creating writing videos for a long time, but I am finally getting into this with a series on Journal Writing. You can see my latest video here:

I'm also enjoying Sean McLachlan's Videos like this:

I struggle with creating videos because my speaking voice isn't perfect and I'm not a supermodel, but for some reason, during this stay-at-home season, the video bug hit me and I just started. My skills are still lacking, but I decided just to start. If I need to erase and rebuild later, I will.
I recommend checking out Sean's videos to see a bit more polish and to get some great writing inspiration. 

WRITING INSPIRATION AND MONDAY MOTIVATION

"You’re never going to kill storytelling because it’s built into the human plan. We come with it.” --Margaret Atwood, poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist.

Do you think storytelling is embedded into humanity?

Why?

Recap of A to Z, Camp NaNoWriMo, and an Upcoming Release

RECAP OF THE A TO Z CHALLENGE AND CAMP NANOWRIMO 

Participating this year really worked for me.
I'm thankful for all of the wonderful feedback on the story segments.

UPCOMING RELEASE on May 16th!

Walking with Jesus: Stories from One Hope Church is an anthology of stories, poetry, and scripture. 

Ordinary lives in relationship with an extraordinary God create compelling faith narratives of every day believers.

When the call for this anthology went forth to One Hope Church, it was a call to everyday believers to bring in stories of moments with Jesus, those times when the presence of God touched their walking-around lives. Combined with scripture, these stories are inspiring, faith-building, and thought-provoking.

What do miracles look like in an everyday Christian's life?
What does faith entail?
Who produces change in us?
Who provides for us?
Who calls us to be more than we think we can be?
Who works in us, even when we least expect it?
Who comforts us? Who gives us peace?
Jesus.

Read to discover how ordinary lives become extraordinary in the light of God’s love.
Real people. Real dilemmas. Real Jesus.

Authors included in this anthology: Susan Buethe, Lauren Colman, Margaret Colman, James Estin, Kathleen Gillespie, Barbara G. Harris, Cindy Jones, Pat Lelvis, Ann Martin, Tyrean Martinson, Melissa Posod, Grace Rolle, Arlie Rue, John Schuler, and an author who prefers to remain anonymous.

Kindle  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087Q3FWLT?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1018274

If you would like to help, please contact me and I will give you a free PDF for review. 

Overwhelmed, The New Normal, New Skills, and Publications

Overwhelmed

With COV-19 on our doorsteps (or at least at mine in Washington State, Pierce County), it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the news, rumors, and fear going around.

I think I've been pretty overwhelmed for the past ten days.

My dad went to the ER for an erratic heart rhythm which was discovered at the beginning of a monthly procedure he has to keep his bones strong. My mom couldn't go in with him. It makes sense, but she wasn't prepared. I stayed with her for hours in the parking lot. I bought her coffee and a sandwich to go (that's the only way our restaurants and coffee shops work here now) and we ate outside on a bench next to the hospital. We talked on the phone with a cousin. We laughed. We prayed. We sang.

My dad is okay. Our lives have returned to new normal.

New Normal

My daughters are both still away from home because their college campuses are in cities where the virus hasn't hit. I talk to them every day. I would love to hug them. But I want them to stay away from the contagion zone.

This is especially true now that someone from my husband's workplace has been tested positive. My husband doesn't normally work with this person or have contact with them and the last time that person came into the office was eight days ago. It is unlikely that my husband could have caught it there, but all of a sudden, the possibility is super close. My husband is working from home this week. He works for a public utility, but is not considered an essential worker. The Zoom meetings and conference calls are continuous because he does work for a utility company. Customers still need help. Work is still ongoing. (Because we all want our electricity and internet, right?)

Meanwhile, my students (tutored, coached, and mentored) are meeting with me through Zoom.
I am doing all my property management work through phone, text, and computer apps.

We had church online. We met our life together group via Zoom. I went to a Bible study via Zoom.
Tomorrow, I will go to Bible Storytelling via Zoom. Two weeks ago, I had never heard of Zoom. Now it's part of my every day life.

New Skills

In addition to all the new normal of life, I've decided to finally just do Youtube Videos. I've been thinking about it for years. But I never did it. I know I probably should wait until I have it all figured out perfectly - in fact, my next videos will probably be of much higher quality than my first four (yes, four), but I decided to have a "Send It" attitude. They are pretty basic, just shot from my phone, but if you're interested, here's a sample:



Again, the next group of them will be of higher quality via my husband's camera (he shoots videos for dance recitals and performances). Then, I'll add in some more skills and so, onward!

PUBLICATIONS

In addition to all of the stress, I've actually had some awesome positives happen, like getting two short pieces published in the last week.

On January 16, Creative Colloquy published my short story "A Companion for the Journey." This story is about an AI and shows a slice of her life and a decision she makes. The tone is more I, Robot than Terminator.

Yesterday, The Drabble published my piece "Sticks and Stones." This short piece is a poetic prose protest about bullying and suicide. It was inspired by the poem of a friend's daughter who was dealing with the aftermath of a suicide at her middle school. Sometimes, I write fiction, and sometimes, I write from life. This is a painful, but true-to-life piece. If you read it, make sure you read to the end, which is "We cling to faith / that is all."

Uncertain Times and Finding a Core Purpose

I live in Washington State, the epicenter of the CoV-19 in the USA. I'm even from the second county it hit here. I think it's the first time I've experienced being at the front of a storm, a tidal wave that's rolling across the country. It's not comfortable. It's full of uncertainty.

And yet, as I see so many friends and family members I know across the US just beginning to struggle with the issues that have faced my area, I feel oddly "in the know." Even if my city, county, and state are just a week or two ahead, I feel like I can give warning to friends and family on the other side of my state (Washington is separated by a mountain range and both sides have very different lifestyles, cultures, and politics - big city to country), onto the next states over, and so on across the continent.

If you haven't had it happen yet, here's what's coming in terms of the measures that have been taken to slow the spread of the virus:

1. Schools will close at all levels. Some schools will offer online classes. Some will just close. Some will say it's for two weeks, some will say it's for six weeks, and some will just graduate their seniors and close.

2. Colleges will go online. Some colleges will keep lab classes open. Some won't. Some will shut down their dorms. Some haven't yet ... but I think they will. Again, some colleges will graduate their seniors without ceremony.

3. If you didn't know yet (I'm sure you do), NCAA sports practices are cancelled. If your child is on a team, they will have even less reason to stay on campus even if the dorms are still open.

4. Businesses will be asked to have their employees work from home or look for ways to reduce the number of hours spent in the office - across all businesses, even ones we think of necessities.

5. Libraries, museums, zoos, aquariums, and all entertainment centers will close.

6. Bars, shops, and restaurants will either close or go to "only take out" services. (This means many, many people will be out of work. See my after-thoughts on this.)

7. Gatherings will be limited to 250 people, then down to 50 people. This means places of worship will close and go to online streaming type services, or online worship that's recorded.

8. You will be asked by community leaders like Pastors, business owners, and others to stop gathering with more than 10 people at a time.

9. Unless you have a high temp or are showing symptoms of the virus, your doctors' appointments will get cancelled and you will be asked to stay away from medical centers. If you have the symptoms, you are supposed to phone in and discuss the symptoms with a medical professional before going in. Emergencies are still emergencies, but otherwise, don't go. This is to keep the virus from spreading and to keep our medical workers as healthy and rested as possible. (Some medical appointments are being kept in secure, private chat rooms.)

10. Be prepared to see people behave badly. But also, be prepared for generosity.

And, this is just a tip. We are stronger together. Even if we can't be together as much in person, we can help each other.

Churches and other community centers are organizing help lines for people who need groceries or need delivery of groceries.

Many online education sites are offering free services for a limited time.

A friend of mine who owns a dance studio is offering free, streaming dance classes for her students and for anyone who wants to check in during her online schedule.



When you hunker down and consider all of what's going on, what's your core purpose in this? 
What can you do to help others?

Yes, we all need to take care of our health and our families, but what can we do to bring peace, joy, and care to those in our communities who need it most?

As I've been considering this, I've realized I have ways I can be of service, despite having some of my own health concerns:
1. I have a degree in education and I home-schooled my daughters. I can offer home education tips and help to parents online. I will be posting more here and on Youtube soon.

2. I believe in Jesus as my Savior. He is my rock and my refuge. Jesus asks us to Love God and Love Others like He loved us. (I can give out Bible verses on this, if you need them). I can offer up some hope, faith, love, and peace with my own faith walk - even if I stumble a bit now and then - maybe especially because I stumble and God can use that somehow to show that His grace is sufficient? I'm still considering what this looks like. I am definitely praying.

3. I have a quirky, but sometimes morbid and salty, sense of humor. I can post a few bits of this here and there. I think laughter is beneficial and healthy for all of us. I think God laughs. He invented laughter and humor. (He must have, really, when you think about it.)

4. I can keep writing. And publishing. One of my projects that I haven't mentioned much about on this blog is for my faith community. It's called Walking with Jesus: Stories of Faith from One Hope Church. I hope to finish it soon so it can be of help and comfort to those who need stories of what faith looks like in every day life - not super-hero faith, but super-regular faith with an amazing savior.

What's your plan in this?